Gouger attachment for conventional electrode holder

ABSTRACT

An attachment is provided for a conventional electrical welding electrode holder. The attachment substitutes a nozzle for the conventional electrode tooth member so that compressed air is blown along the electrode to blow away molten metal. The attachment converts a standard electrode holder to a gouging device.

United States Patent Streetman et al. [451 Apr. 4, 1972 [54} GOUGERATTACHMENT FOR [56] References Cited CONVENTIONAL ELECTRODEUMTEDSTATESPATENTS H LDER 0 2,784,293 3/1957 Adams ..2l9/70 [72]Inventors: Foy J. Streetman, PO. Box 395, Plains, 2,899,536 1959 H0686el a ----2l9/70 79355; John D Ammstead, 2232 3,470,345 9/1969Vaillancourt ..2l9/70 Auburn, Space 19, Lubbock, Tex. 79415 PrimaryExaminer-R. F. Staubly Filed: p 1970 AnarneyCharles W. Coffee [211 App].No.: 74,401 [57] I ABSTRACT An attachment is provided for a conventionalelectrical weld- UuS- l t d h ld Th tt h t b tit t a nonle f [51] III!-Cl ....B23k 9/32 the conventional electrode tooth member so thatcompressed [58] Field of Search ..2l9/70 air is blown along theelectrode to blow away molten metal.

The attachment converts a standard electrode holder to a gouging device.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 4 I972 SHEET 1 BF 2 JOHN D.AMITST'E'A D INVENTOR.

AND

FOY J. fDTIQEIE'TMAb-l BY I INVEN O AND T R PATENTEDAPR 4 m2 sum 2 or 2h 1 RN ,9. dgfim U M m I I h I I I. s

JOHN D. AMITSTCAD F'OY J. STKEL-ET'M AH GOUGER ATTACHMENT FORCONVENTIONAL ELECTRODE HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field oftheInvention This invention relates to hand-type electric arc tools forgouging metal by heating with an electric arc and blowing the moltenmetal by compressed air.

2. Description of the prior art It is known that metals may be gouged bymelting the metal with an electrical arc and then blowing away themolten metal with a blast of air directed along the electrode.

STEPATH et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,706,236; ADAMS, U.S. Pat. No. 2,784,293;and HOESE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,899,536, each disclose a tool of this type.However, it will be noted in each case a special electrode holder isprovided which has longitudinal passageways drilled through a jaw of theholder, terminating in a nozzle tooth member which is connected to thepassageway through the jaw.

BOWERS, U.S. Pat. No. 1,137,834; ADAMS, U.S. Pat. No. 2,527,490;COPLESTON, U.S. Pat No. 2,797,301; and HAWK, U.S. Pat. No. 3,035,155,also show different types of gas jets at or about the arc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1. New and Different Function We have inventedan attachment which will fit upon standard electrode holderscommercially available on the market and in widespread common use inshops and factories. The attachment readily converts the holder to agouger without the necessity of purchasing a complete special tool forthis purpose. Our attachment includes a head which is bolted to one ofthe jaws, but is completely electrically insulated from the jaw so thatthere will not be an electrical arc between the attachment and otherconducting surfaces. Also, the nozzle is designed to provide a full flowof air along the electrode.

2. Objects of the Invention.

An object of this invention is to gouge metal.

Another object is to provide an attachment to be attached to aconventional electrode holder to convert it from an electric weldingdevice to an electric gouging device.

Further objects are to achieve the above with a device that is sturdy,compact, durable, lightweight, simple, safe, efficient, versatile, andreliable, yet inexpensive and easy to manufacture, install, operate, andmaintain.

The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects, uses,and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from the followingdescription and from the accompanying drawing, the different views ofwhich are not to the same scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of adevice according to this invention connected to a standard electrodeholder.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, primarily broken away on anaxial section line to show details of construction.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the nozzle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As seen in the drawing, there isdepicted a conventional electrode holder. Specifically depicted is aCooltong 400 a product of the Lincoln Company as is commonly availableon the market. This electrode holder has upper jaw and lower jaw 12,which are hinged together by pin 14. The jaws l0 and 12 are electricallyconnected to electric cable 11. Spring 16 biases the jaws closed. Handlever 18 extends from the lower jaw 12 so that the operator may grip itand rigid cable cover 20 which is attached to the upper jaw 10, thusopening the jaws for the insertion of an electrode between them. Thecover 20 over the cable 11 forms a handle. Insulating cover 22 extendsover the lower jaw 12.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the structure asspecifically described to this point is common to electrode holders asare produced by many different companies.

Many of the electrode holders and specifically the Cooltong 400 havehole 24 through the upper jaw. Originally the toothed member to hold theelectrode has a bolt extending through this hole. However, according toour invention, this bolt is removed, laid aside and tube 26 of nozzle 28is inserted through the hole 24. Referring particularly to FIG. 1 andFIG. 3 it may be seen that the underside 30 of the nozzle 28 has anelongated arcuate surface so that an electrode (not shown) may beinserted in the holder and kept in place by the holder and the underside30 of the nozzle 28. Also, it will be noted that the underside of thenozzle is not a completely smooth arcuate surface, it has a hump or bump32 therein caused by the particular configuration of the die that formsit. The nozzle 28 is made by first piercing it and attaching (as bybrasing) the tube 26 to it, and then stamping the tube 28 with a die tocreate the particular configuration having the elongated concave arcuateunderside 30. The nozzle 28 has a uniform wall thickness and is open inthe front and closed at the rear. The front opening is aligned with thearcuate concave undersurface so that air blown through the tube 26 andnozzle 28 is discharged from the open end of the nozzle 28 and blowsalong the electrode which is clamped between the arcuate underside 30 ofthe nozzle 28 and the lower jaw 12.

Head 34 is attached to the upper jaw 10 by bolt 36 which extends throughthe head and into tapped hole 38 in the top of the jaw 10. In theparticular electrode holder used, the tapped hole 38 is in the jaw andwas used originally to hold an insulating cover upon the upper jaw 10,quite similar to the cover 22 on the lower jaw 12.

The head 34 has hole 40 in it. The head hole 40 is aligned with the jawhole 24 and the tube 26 extends from the hole to the jaw 10 into thehole in the head 34. The hole 40 in the head is in fluid communicationwith passageway 42 which extends longitudinally of the head 34 and whichis also longitudinal of the electrode holder. The rear of the passageway42 is threaded to receive valve 44. By suitable fitting 46, air hose 48is connected to the valve 44. As may be seen in the drawing, the airhose 48 angles upward from the valve 44 so that the operator may graspthe rigid handle 20 with his hand, his hand going under the air hose 48,which is connected at a spaced interval to the rear of the rigid cablecover 20 by clip 50. The hose 48 is adapted to be connected tocompressed air hose; therefore, it may be said that it forms a source ofair under pressure to be connected to the passageway 42.

Insulating plate 52 is attached as by adhesive to the undersurface ofthe head 34 and therefore, in assembled position is located between thehead and the upper jaw 10. Insulating bolt sleeve 54 surrounds the bolt36 within the head 34 and insulating washer 56 surrounds the bolt 36within the head 34 and insulating washer 56 surrounds the head of thebolt. Insulating tube sleeve 58 completely lines the hole 40 in the head34. Thus, the head 34 is completely insulated from the jaw 10. Althoughthe tube 26 will be in electrical contact with the jaw 10, the tube 26is insulated from the head 34 by the tube sleeve 58. Likewise, althoughthe bolt 36 will be in electrical contact with the jaw 10, the bolt willbe insulated from the head by the bolt sleeve 54 and washer 56.

The nozzle 28 can be rotated about the axis of the hole 24 in the jaw 10which is coaxial with the hole 40 in the head 34. The bolt 36 with itssleeve 54 extends upward through the air passageway 42, however, thepassageway 42 in this portion of the head is enlarged so there issufficient passageway around the sleeve 54. Although difficult to see inthe drawing, the passageway 42 is angled slightly to the axis of theupper jaw 10 so there is sufficient clearance for the valve 44 and thefitting 46 from the insulation 60 and the cable cover 20. The insulation60 insulates that portion of the upper jaw 10 which is not covered bythe head 34. The axis of the nozzle 28 is about normal to the axis ofthe tube 26. If the jaw 10 does not already have a hole 24 and a tappedhole 38, these are readily made with simple tools.

The embodiment shown and described above is only exemplary. We do notclaim to have invented all the parts, elements or steps described.Various modifications can be made in the construction, material,arrangement, and operation, and still be within the scope of ourinvention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patentprotection are measured by and defined in the following claims. Therestrictive description and drawing of the specific example above do notpoint out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are toenable the reader to make and use the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A gouging device for attachment to an electrode holder having a. afirst jaw and a second jaw b. insulated and hinged together,

0. spring means between the jaws for biasing the jaws together to holdan electrode between the jaws,

d. an electrical cable connected to the jaws, and

e. a transverse hole through the first jaw;

f. said gouging device comprising:

g. a tube inserted through the hole,

h. a nozzle on the end of the tube,

j. said nozzle having a concave elongated arcuate surface facing thesecond jaw adapted to receive and hold a carbon electrode between thenozzle and second jaw,

k. said nozzle opening aligned with said elongated arcuate surface sothat air through the nozzle will be directed along the electrode,

m. a head bolted to the first jaw,

n. a hole in the head aligned with the hole in the first jaw,

0. said tube extending into said hole in the head,

p. a passageway in the head from one edge of the head to the hole in thehead, and

q. a source of air under pressure connected to the passageway so thatair is blown through the passageway into the tube, out the nozzle andalong the electrode.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 with the additional limitationsof r. said electrode holder having a rigid handle attached to said jawsand surrounding said cable,

s. said source of air connected to said head by i. a valve attached tothe passageway in the head, and ii. a hose attached to the valve andclipped to the end of the handle away from said jaws.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 with the additional limitationsof r. said nozzle being an elongated tubular structure i. of uniformwall thickness,

ii. closed at one end, iii. open at the other end, and iv. connected tosaid tube between said ends, v. with the nozzle axis about normal to thetube axis. 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 with the additionallimitations of s. said holder having a rigid handle attached to saidjaws and surrounding said cable, t. said source of air connected to saidhead by i. a valve attached to the passageway in the head, and ii. ahose attached to the valve and clipped to the end of the handle awayfrom said jaws. 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 with theadditional limitations of r. an insulation plate between the head andfirst jaw, s. a bolt extended through said head and into said first jawthus bolting the head to the first jaw as defined above, t. aninsulating bolt sleeve in the head surrounding the bolt,

and u. an insulating tube sleeve in the head surrounding said tube. 6.The invention as defined in claim 5 with the additional limitations ofv. said nozzle being an elongated tubular structure i. of uniform wallthickness, ii. closed at one end, iii. open at the other end, and iv.connected to said tube between said ends,

v. with the nozzle axis normal to the tube axis. I 7. The invention asdefined 1n claim 5 with the additional limitations of v. said holderhaving a rigid handle attached to said jaws and surrounding said cable,w. said source of air connected to said head by i. a valve attached tothe passageway in the head, and ii. a hose attached to the valve andclipped to the end of the handle away from said jaws. 8. The inventionas defined in claim 7 with the additional limitations of x. said nozzlebeing an elongated tubular structure i. of uniform wall thickness, ii.closed at one end, iii. open at the other end, and iv. connected to saidtube between said ends, v. with the nozzle axis normal to the tube axis.

1. A gouging device for attachment to an electrode holder having a. afirst jaw and a second jaw b. insulated and hinged together, c. springmeans between the jaws for biasing the jaws together to hold anelectrode between the jaws, d. an electrical cable connected to thejaws, and e. a transverse hole through the first jaw; f. said gougingdevice comprising: g. a tube inserted through the hole, h. a nozzle onthe end of the tube, j. said nozzle having a concave elongated arcuatesurface facing the second jaw adapted to receive and hold a carbonelectrode between the nozzle and second jaw, k. said nozzle openingaligned with said elongated arcuate surface so that air through thenozzle will be directed along the electrode, m. a head bolted to thefirst jaw, n. a hole in the head aligned with the hole in the first jaw,o. said tube extending into said hole in the head, p. a passageway inthe head from one edge of the head to the hole in the head, and q. asource of air under pressure connected to the passageway so that air isblown through the passageway into the tube, out the nozzle and along theelectrode.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 with the additionallimitations of r. said electrode holder having a rigid handle attachedto said jaws and surrounding said cable, s. said source of air connectedto said head by i. a valve attached to the passageway in the head, andii. a hose attached to the valve and clipped to the end of the handleaway from said jaws.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 with theadditional limitations of r. said nozzle being an elongated tubularstructure i. of uniform wall thickness, ii. closed at one end, iii. openat the other end, and iv. connected to said tube between said ends, v.with the nozzle axis about normal to the tube axis.
 4. The invention asdefined in claim 3 with the additional limitations of s. said holderhaving a rigid handle attached to said jaws and surrounding said cable,t. said source of air connected to said head by i. a valve attached tothe passageway in the head, and ii. a hose attached to the valve andclipped to the end of the handle away from said jaws.
 5. The inventionas defined in claim 1 with the additional limitations of r. aninsulation plate between the head and first jaw, s. a bolt extendedthrough said head and into said first jaw tHus bolting the head to thefirst jaw as defined above, t. an insulating bolt sleeve in the headsurrounding the bolt, and u. an insulating tube sleeve in the headsurrounding said tube.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 with theadditional limitations of v. said nozzle being an elongated tubularstructure i. of uniform wall thickness, ii. closed at one end, iii. openat the other end, and iv. connected to said tube between said ends, v.with the nozzle axis normal to the tube axis.
 7. The invention asdefined in claim 5 with the additional limitations of v. said holderhaving a rigid handle attached to said jaws and surrounding said cable,w. said source of air connected to said head by i. a valve attached tothe passageway in the head, and ii. a hose attached to the valve andclipped to the end of the handle away from said jaws.
 8. The inventionas defined in claim 7 with the additional limitations of x. said nozzlebeing an elongated tubular structure i. of uniform wall thickness, ii.closed at one end, iii. open at the other end, and iv. connected to saidtube between said ends, v. with the nozzle axis normal to the tube axis.